Hardwood Floor Refinishing Frequently Asked Questions

Although we wish there were a simple answer, there is not because the answer depends on several factors that are unique to each job.  The factors include the size of the job,  the type of finish (or polyurethane) that is applied, how many coats are applied, the species of wood, if repairs are required before refinishing begins, and what the weather is like at the time (dryer or more humid).  

Oil-based polyurethane takes longer to dry, about 3-5 days plus drying time.  Oil-based takes longer to dry, but it lasts longer, so is often the preferred choice of the homeowner.  Water-based polyurethane tends to dry faster than oil-based, about 2 days plus drying time. 

Drying time is required after completing the refinishing.  At a minimum, we suggest that you wait at least 24 hours before walking on the floors, but 24-48 hours is better.  You should not wear any shoes or go barefoot during this time, instead, everyone in the home needs to wear socks.  Ideally, 4 days should pass before any furniture is returned to allow sufficient time for the floors to dry and cure. 

Your flooring technician will be able to advise you of a timeframe for complete based on all of these factors once he assesses your home.  

If you have pets, it is best to keep them off the newly refinished floors for 2 weeks after the finish is applied.  But, if you’re like us, you love your pets so much that you can’t stand to have them away for an extended period.  In this case, you can try using doggie socks (which works well for some dogs, but not as well for others). Or, dogs can remain in areas of the home that were not refinished, such as the basement or carpeted or tiled areas. 

Yes, you can.  During the refinishing process, we sand the top layer of the floor down to the natural wood before applying the stain.  This allows you to select a stain that resembles the original floors, or you can change the look of the flooring entirely with a new stain.  

Yes, you will need to remove your furniture so that we can access the entire floor that is to be refinished.  Some homeowners chose to move the furniture into other rooms, to the garage, or to the basement during the refinishing process.  We have had other homeowners rent temporary pods in order to keep their furniture close by, but out of the home.  

This depends on the polyurethane used, the rate of wear and tear in the household, and how well maintenance and cleaning are performed.  In general terms, the new finish should last between 7 to 10 years, depending on these factors.   

We aim to preserve as much of your wood floors as possible so that you can refinish them again in the future.  If you have very deep scratches, it may be best to replace the damaged areas instead of sanding the wood too low.   The more wood that is removed during the sanding process, the less wood will remain.  Typically hardwood floors can be refinished 3-5 times during their lifespan, so we want to preserve as much of that wood as possible so that your floors can serve you and your family for years to come.  

For more information see our Hardwood Floor Repairs page.